Construction to widen northbound El Camino Real, between Poinsettia Lane and Camino Vida Roble started in May 2026 and is expect to last approximately one year.

What to expect during construction

• For safety, a temporary concrete barrier will separate traffic from construction crews and equipment.
• While the barrier is installed, lanes may be temporarily reduced to one lane. Otherwise, the existing two northbound car lanes in the area will remain open. 
• The bike lane in the construction area will be temporarily closed, so please watch for cyclists and share the road.
• Speed limits will be temporarily reduced to 45 mph in the construction zone. 
• Traffic delays are possible. Please give yourself extra time to get where you need to go. 
• Projects like this can create noise and dust. We will work as quickly as possible and do everything we can to minimize inconveniences.

Project goals

• Enhance traffic safety while improving circulation and ease of mobility for people using all modes of transportation

Project improvements

This partially federally funded project will:

• Widen the road segment from Cinnabar Way to Camino Vida Roble to provide necessary space to add a third northbound vehicle lane
• Restripe the road segment from Poinsettia Lane to Camino Vida Roble to add a third northbound vehicle lane
• Provide new sidewalks and new streetlights on the east side of El Camino Real
• Improve the median with landscaping 
• Enhance the bike lane with a buffer, or extra space between vehicle lanes and the bike lane

The final phase of El Camino Real widening, in conformance with the city’s General Plan Mobility Element and engineering standards for arterial roadways, is planned between Arenal Road and La Costa Avenue. 

Project goals

• Improve this segment of El Camino Real to meet the city’s General Plan Mobility Element and design standards
• Increase capacity and improve traffic operations 
• Improve pedestrian access and construct ADA-compliant facilities
• Reduce traffic congestion and travel times

Project improvements

• Provide a six-lane arterial roadway by creating an additional southbound lane on El Camino Real between Arenal Road and La Costa Avenue
• Add new sidewalks and street lighting on the southbound side of El Camino Real
• Add two pedestrian bridges over San Marcos Creek

Next steps

• The overall project design is nearly complete and staff are working on permitting and preparing to bid. 
• Construction is expected to start in early 2027.

The city has widened northbound El Camino Real from Sunny Creek Road to Jackspar/Rancho Carlsbad drives to meet the city’s General Plan Mobility Element, Growth Management Plan and design standards, which call for El Camino Real to be a six-lane roadway.

• All lanes of traffic opened in June 2026.

View a video that highlights this phase of the El Camino Real widening. 

The City of Carlsbad completed construction work at the intersection of El Camino Real and College Boulevard in 2021 to better accommodate drivers, pedestrians and bicyclists. 

Project improvements

• Upgraded curb ramps and crosswalks to meet current Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) standards and current design standards
• Enhanced bicycle lanes and pedestrian access
• High visibility crosswalks for all legs of the intersection
• Traffic signal timing modifications to improve traffic operations
• Removed a pedestrian refuge island on southbound El Camino Real at the College Boulevard intersection to provide a safer pedestrian crossing
• Modified the El Camino Real median to accommodate three southbound vehicle through lanes on El Camino Real, a southbound dedicated bike lane on El Camino Real with green paint approaching the intersection and a southbound right turn-only lane on El Camino Real onto westbound College Boulevard

The City of Carlsbad completed construction work at the intersection of El Camino Real and Cannon Road in 2022.

Project improvements

• New pedestrian bridge providing safer and more inviting pedestrian access over the Agua Hedionda Creek 
• New, wider sidewalks 
• New crash barriers 
• Removed overhead poles owned by SDGE 
• Modified the El Camino Real median to accommodate three northbound vehicle travel lanes on El Camino Real, a northbound dedicated bike lane on El Camino Real with green paint approaching the intersection and both left- and right-turn only lanes onto Cannon Road

Watch the video